Montreal councillor warns against privatizing Canada's airports

Montreal councillor Marvin Rotrand is urging the city administration and Aéroports de Montréal to fight against any movement to privatize airports by the federal government.

Ottawa has commissioned studies on the possible benefits of privatizing Canadian airports, currently run by not-for-profit airport authorities. Estimates on potential benefits range between $8.7 billion and $40 billion that could be raised by selling off the nation’s eight largest airports, including Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.

Critics argue it would lead to increased costs for travellers and the deterioration of services and infrastructure at airports that currently invest profits into upgrades. Safety could also be at risk, Rotrand said in a statement issued Sunday.

Rotrand is calling on city council to adopt a motion similar to one adopted by Vancouver in November 2016 that strongly opposes privatization. He will raise the issue at the April 24 city council meeting.